Army field kitchen



Apr. 10, 1923. I I

- H. w. S'FEINER ET AL ARMY FIELD ,KITCHEN Filed Apr. 14, 1921 5 Sheets-sheet l arfoawfxs.

-Apr. 10, 1923. 1,451,087

H. W. STEINEYR ET AL ARMY 'FIELD KITCHEN Filed Apr. 14 1921 Mug/V7003- HM I 3:55; W 5r v 5 sheets-sheet 2 5 sheets-sheet 3 H.'W. STEINER ET AL ARMY FIELD KITCHEN Filed Apr. 14, 1921 0v 1 v W 3 o o o o 0 NW N 1 W J N $N V w 0 W W W .ww V, \\l k\ w a o m NM NM U WAAAAAAAQ )nv INN )Q m 0 M o *1 v N O O 0 Apr. 10, v 1923'.

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Patented Apr. 10, 1923.

UNITED STAT-E s PATENT OFFICE.

HUBBARD W. STEINEB, CALEB W. SIIII'LEY, AND JAMES MORRISON, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THE TRAILMOBILE COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A COR- PORATION OF OHIO.

ARMY FIELD KITCHEN.

Application filed April 14, 1921. Serial No. 461,209.

T0 (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HUBBARD WV. SrnrN- ER, CALEB V. SHIPLEY, and JAMns MORRI- son, citizens of the United States, and residents of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State'of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Army Field Kitchens, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

Our invention relates to army field kitchens, and more particularly of the type wherein the stove and oven parts are built into the vehicle itself, as distinguished from a structure where the stove parts are merely slung onto a wagon, to be removed therefrom when in use.

The great advantage of the type of field kitchens wherein the stove parts are part of the wagon body is the convenience thereof and the great savingin time in connection with their use, including the possibility of cooking in them while en route to the place of distribution of the food.

The great defect in all devices of the above character in the past, has been a lack of strength in the structure to undergo the rough treatment which field equipment is called upon to withstand in army maneuvers, campaigns, and the like, where good road surface is the exception rather than the rule,

and there is not time for careful driving.

Accordingly it is the object of our invention primarily to provide a traveling field kitchen, wherein the cooking or stove parts are of great strength and will withstand the twists of the vehicle frame during travel.- Another object is the provision for a large amount of cooking space in such a device, including open tops for vessels, baking ovens, hot water tanks, and the like.

In various particularinstances we have improved the accessibility, degree of applied heat, convenience of manipulation, and will point out these features below. Among others are the provision of special means for directing the products of combustion around both base and top of the bake ovens, dividing the stack base into two sections for furthering this purpose, and arranging the cooking vessels so that they may be removed laterally instead of being lifted up from the cooking top.

We accomplish our various objects bythat P v certain construction and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more specifically pointed out and claimed.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the novel k1tchen constructed and ready for rive-ting or bolting to the chassis of an jautomobile or trailer vehicle. v

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device with attachments removed so as to illustrate. more clearly the frame parts.

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on we are familiar, have been particularly weak in this connection, and we desire to note that our structure is built around theidea of adequate support for the cooking vessels.

Thus, we provide a structural iron frame having bars at the base, which we will generally refer to as l for bars extending l'ongi tudinally and 2 for bars extending laterally or transversely.

At the rear of the device there are vertically extending angles or T-b-ars 5, four in number, which are connected together somewhat. belowv their middle point by means of bars 4:, 4, transverse the structure, and by bars 5', 5, longitudinally of the structure. At the top the bars are also connect ed by cross bars 6, 6, and end bars 7, 7. All of these bars are preferably welded togetherand as will be noted, the entire framework of the device, made up .in like manner of angle, channel, and T-bars, is preferably welded together to make up a unitary structure into which are riveted, or bolted the various plates which make of it an enclosed body with various individual chambers".

Thus welded to the forward two of the bars 3, 3 are side bars- 8, 8, which extend lengthwise to a rectangular frameworkf) at the forward end of the structure at about the same height as the bars 5, 5.

The rectangular framework 9 does not extend to as great a height as the uprights 3, 3, and mounted across the forward face of the frame formed by said bars 3, 3, is a crossbar 10 at the same height as the frame 9.

The said bar 10 and the top of frame 9 form the welding points for a cruciform frame 11 of channel bars, said frame having lateral depending pieces 12, 12, which are welded to an interspaced transverse angle bar 13, and to the bars 8, 8.

Extending along the center line of the frame and secured to the cross bars 2 at the front and the median cross bars 2 at the rear are a pair of angle bars 14, on which is mounted a socket piece 15. This socket piece is slotted to fit down over the upstanding webs of the angle bars and has a threaded hole 16 therein.

A piece'of heavy pipe 17 is set into a hole at the center of the cruciform frame piece, thence passes down through the interspaced angle bar 13 and is threaded into the hole 16. It is then welded into the hole in the cruciform piece, thereby forming an additional support for the said piece at its con ter line.

It may be noted in addition, that there is a crossbar 19 secured to the bars 8, 8, to support the back wall of the fire chamber.

We have now described practically the complete framework, to which are riveted or bolted the various metal sheets or to which are hinged the movable closures that make up a complete article, our particular point being that we have a unitary framework, which is of heavy metal and of extreme strength, which at its base is adapted to be secured to the chassis of a vehicle.

Taking up first the rear of the structure, it will be noted that we inset all of the outside frame with metal plates 22, riveted or bolted in place as at 23.

There are two water tanks formed of suitable plates and provided with suitable discharge pipes, which we have not particularlyshown in our drawings, since they correspond generally with the water tanks of thepatent to Baldwin No. 1,328,071, dated January 13, 1920.

A cast iron liner 23 set on the rear bar 4 and under the front bar 4 with a lip at the front edge at right angles to the plate extending upwardly sufficiently to bolt to the leg of the front cross bar 4, serves as the upper wallor' roofo f'the firechamber'24 at the lower part of the rear structure.

A sheet of air cell asbestos 23 is laid on the upper side of the cast iron liner 23 serving as an insulation for the base of an oven 25. The door 26 for this oven 25 is hinged to lugs 27 riveted to the upright bars 3.- The rear oven 25 rests upon the front bar 4 and the side bars 5, 5, and is held into place by bolting an integral flange surrounding the oven opening to the rear cross bars 6 and 4 and the vertical angles 3. Two notched segments 29 are hinged at 30 at the two sides of the door and engage straps 31, 31. Thus to position the door at any desired position, the ends of the segments are pressed down, relieving the teeth from the straps 31 and the door moved as desired, after which the segments are released so that the teeth may contact with the straps. The bevel on the teeth permits the door to be closed without manipulating the segments. Along the'upper rear edge of the frame is a holding bar 28 attached to the framework by brackets riveted to the rear cross bar 6 and side bars 7, 7.

It will be noted that for fuel in the particular embodiment of the invention shown, we have provided a gas burner, the desire being that some suitable petroleum storage and air pressure tank be provided in connection therewith. The'pipe shown has a perforated body 32 extending directly forward with the fire chamber and terminates in two branches 33, also perforated, said branches having caps 34 thereon.

Erected at a point forwardly from the forward face of the oven 25 and secured to the bar 19 is a plate 35 and suitably mounted on the rear face of this plate are apair .of metallic hoods 36, which adjoin closely the perforated branches of the burner, and have their webs depending over openings 37 in the wall or plate 35.

Thus the main body of the products of combustion pass through the openings left,

between the base of the oven and the cooking space built around the cruciform structure 11, while some of the products as deflected by the hoods pass through the openings 37. Extending across the rectangular frame 9 is a plate 38 riveted or bolted to the frame work 9, top plate 49, and the side of the oven. A front oven 40 extending the full width of the stove is held in place by the riveting, bolting or welding to the framework 9 longitudinal members 1, 1, andside members 8, 8. of a suitable shell 41 open at the ends. The upper side or top of the front oven forms thebase' of the cruciform cooking space while the rear wall thereof is provided by the front of the rear oven 25;

The products of combustion, whichpa'ss through the openings 37, pass down through the space'be'tween'the side of the oven shell 41, and the plate 35 and thence along the ,of the cruciform piece, which hole extends into a hole 48 formed in the top plate 49 of the rectangular frame 9. A flue casting 50 is provided having a web 51 dividrin it into a forward and rearward chamber. This casting is mounted so that the rearward portion thereof registers with the hole 47 and the forward portion thereof registers with the hole 48 and dampers 47 and 48 are provided in the casting for the two sections thereof. 4

The stack 52 is hingedto the casting as at 53, so as to swing down when not in use and a baffle 54 is arranged within the cruciform cooking space, so as to surround the opening 47 and force the majority of the products of combustion to pass down to the base of said space before rising through the stack.

The divided flue casting, in connection with the dampers, enables us to provide for the desired amount of heat to pass around the base of the oven, a thing which we have found impossible without some such division of the flue. The baffles in the cruciform space act to cause a flow of the products of combustion around the entire space, and to direct a substantial quantity against the base thereof. The baffle 44 may be flanked with a pair of plates 44, which act to force practically all of the heat that passes from the fire chamber to take effect on the cooking vessels atthe rear of the space before it comes into action against the vessels at the front.

The cooking vessels are indicated at 55 and comprise large kettles of stout construction having flanges 56, which engage the cruciform top frame, the plate 49, and cross bar 10. It will be noted that each vessel is thus exposed so far as the frame is concerned at one side, and may be slid off the cooking top or cruciform frame without lifting when it is desired to remove it therefrom. Each vessel has, also, one side of its flange 56 projecting toward the open space at its side.

We have found that to provide a good enclosure for the cooking vessels, the doors 46, which it will be noted serve as the sole enclosure for the free side space, should be provided with flanges or shoulders 57, which when the doors are closed will come snugly under the flanges of the vessels. Without in the construction that permits ofslicling the vessels off the cooking top.

Stout lugs 58 on the bars 12, said lugs having holes 59 therein for locking pins, serve to engage through slots60 in the doors and provide a secure lock therefor.

The vessels being of such large size, they confine the products of combustion largely to the base of the cooking space, thereby forcing it against the top of the oven. As noted, also, the baffling arrangement assists this and also requires a full circulation of the products of combustion around the rearward vessels before coming into contact with the forward ones. This enables us to do cooking requiring a mildheat, such as boiling cereals, and the like, inthe forward vessels, while at the same time doing rougher cooking such as boiling vegetables, .poltatoes, and the like, in the rearward! vesse s. 4 We do not desire to be limitedin our claims that follow to the specific details of construction,.which we have described, and have gone into detail mainlyfor the reason of showing how the frame is made up to give strength that tests have shown will be adequate for field kitchens of similar type.

Having thus described. our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In anarmy field comprising base pieces forming an integral part of the wagon body of a vehicle, upright pieces and cross pieces to form vertical frames lengthwise and cross-wise above said base, said pieces welded. together into a unit, a cruciform member set into said. assembly and welded together with it, and plates riveted into the frame formed by, the base, upright and cross pieces to form an'enclosed wagon body to serve as a cooking stove.

2. In an army field kitchen or the like,

means for providing heat, a cooking top'for removable vessels, said cooking top comprising a top frame, and supporting means therefor adapted to leave the sides thereof open for moving vessels having engaging flanges above their bases into position for cooking by a horizontal path, and doors to close the open sides of the frame when the vessels are in place.

3. In an army field kitchen,the combination with means for providing heat, of a support for cooking vessels having su'pporting flanges thereon, and bases extending below the flanges, comprising a supporting frame of substantially cruciform shape, and

means to support the ends of the said frame in spaced vertical relation from parts bekitchen, a framework neath whereby the open'sides left by the branches" of the cross may be used for insertion ofthevesse'ls laterally, and removable closure for the said open sides.

L. A cooking top for army field kitchens and the like, comprising a cruciform frame, supported at its ends, in spaced vertical relation from parts beneath the openings in the top of the frame adapted to engage the flanges of cooking vessels whose bases extend below said flanges, and the openings at the sides of the frame of a size to' permit the lateral insertion of thevessels into position withtheir flanges engaging said frame, and movable means for enclosing the openings at the sides.

5. The combination in a field kitchen or the like, of a vessel for cooking having a flange located about the periphery thereof, at a point elevated above its base, and a sup porting top for retaining said vessel in a position for cooking, comprising a framework open at the top for surrounding the vessel and supporting the flange thereof, and open at the sides for insertion of the vessel laterally into supported position; 6. The combination in afield kitchen or the like, of a vessel forcooking having a flange located about the periphery thereof, at a point'elevated above v its base, and a supporting top for retaining said vessel in a position for cooking, comprising a frame-' work open at the top for surrounding the vessel and supporting the flange thereof, and open at the sides for insertion of the vessel laterally into. supported position, a door adapted to close the side opening, and a flange. on' the door to engage beneath the flange on the vessel, for the purpose described.

7. In a field. kitchen or'the like, the combination of means for supplying heat, of a cooking top having four openings for cooking vessels, and four lateral openings leading to the openings first mentioned for insertion of the cooking vessels, without lifting-cooking vessels having flanges above their bases, and adapted to fill the top openings, and pass through the side open ngs, and doors for the side openings, said doors adapted to engage beneath the flanges on the vessels, as and for the purpose described.

8. In an army field kitchen, the combination with a framework, of a cruciform top plate for cooking top, said plate supported at its ends above the base to leave a cooking space beneath it, and a central support passing through the junction of the cross and anchored to the base of the framework.

9. In an army field kitchen, the combination with a framework, of a cooking top having a central portion and branches to make up a cruciform shape, vertical members connected to all four ends of the cruciform structure, and a'post connected to the central portion thereof, and anchored to the framework. v

10. In an army field kitchen, the combi nation with a framework, of a cooking top having a central portion and branches to make up a cruciform shape, vertical members connected to all four ends of the cruciform structure,'and a post connected to the central portion thereof, and anchored to the framework, said post and its anchor comprising a vertical pipe firmly secured in said central portion, a frameel'ement secured to the base of the framework, a pipe fitting held in said frame element, said fitting being in engagement with the pipe, as and for the purpose described.

11. In a fieldkitchen or the like, the combination with a casing having a fire box at the reaij and oven at the front, a cooking space above the oven having a vessel receiving top, and a flue divided into a plurality of parts, one of said parts opening into the cooking space, and another'of said parts opening into'another space, said other space passing around the oven beneath the same, and communication between the fire box and the cooking space as well, as said other space, cooking vessels located in said vessel receiving top, said vessels having their bases positioned adjacent the top of the oven, whereby said vessels act as baflles to direct the heat along the top of the oven.

HUBBARD W STEINER. CALEB W. SHIPLEY. JAMES MORRISON. 

